This thing has apparently been under water. It has some sitting on top of the pistons. My question is can I clean it out without pulling it apart?

 

no...

 

I bought a 87 Toyota 4runner about 5 years ago that was caught up in a major flood here. The truck was just about completely submerged. I know that it was submerged for to good days. The truck sat for about 2 months after that before I purchased it. I brought it how an completely removed all interior and so on. Finally made my way to gas tank an engine. I drained to tank only to notice muddy water pouring out. After flushing with water I finally got it clean. I was still really skeptical about the proper way to clean the engine with out dismantling it. When I drained the oil it of course was muddy as well. I asked several people until we came up with the conclusion of filling the engine completely full of diesel fuel an letting it set. That's what I did and believe it or not after draining an toping off with fuel it was completely fine. No electronics were hurt ither. The truck is still around to this day. I'm not telling you that this will help you but it may. I really don't know. But I know it cleaned my engine pretty well.

 

Thank you Toyota~Boy I've heard that before but was wondering I anyone had ever done it

 

[quote=Toyota~Boy;52004939]... filling the engine completely full of diesel fuel an letting it set... [quote]

That's exactly how it's done. I work at a marine shop where engines come in all of the time full of water. Hopefully the water is fresh water and not salt water. If it's fresh water, keep the water in the engine until you're ready to clean it out. It's actually best to fill the engine with water the rest of the way instead of partially filled. When you're ready to clean the engine drain the oil and fill the engine with diesel fuel and let it set at least overnight. Drain the diesel fuel, allowing plenty of time for all of the fuel to drain. Next change the oil filter and add the correct amount of oil. You're going to want to pull your spark plugs out next to make sure there's not a bunch of diesel sitting on top of the pistons. Crank the engine over to get everything out of the top's of the cylinders. Put the spark plugs back in, cross your fingers, and run it. You'll probably want to change your oil sooner than normal.

 

I didn't know if that was just a old wise tail or what's. but like I said I do e it and it worked man. So yeah good luck an hope it fixes ya up

 

sounds like it will work but always remember that not all places in the engine drain even flipping it upside down or what ever!! but at least diesel is thin oil anyways so it should work great just don't use varsol (long story!)

 

Thanks for the advice. I'm gonna see whether or not it will run probably Monday. Fingers crossed.